Crafting retreat weekend

On the weekend I was lucky to head off to a crafting weekend with girls from TheSewing Sisterhood. 

I joined (from the photo above from left to right):

• Amy from Ladybugs and Daisychains
• Leigh from Sakurako with her gorgeous baby Emma 
• Mel from Handmade by 3 Little B's
• Rebecca from Baby Chilli and The Chilli Tree
• Karen from Apple Seed  
• Bridie from Little Magnolia Buttons
• Mia from Mac and Mia
• Melissa from Bugle Bums
• Me - up the back! from Lil Pip 
• Jodie from Three Little Chickens

We stayed at The White House in Healesville which allowed us lots of beds and plenty of space to craft (we set up two tables in one living space for sewing and still had the comfort of the loungeroom for stitching and tea breaks).

I wasn't there Friday so I can't tell you what they got up to but I know by the time I arrived on Saturday a little quilting had occurred (I hope to update you more on that later - it is kinda a post on it's own!).

We all decided on certain things we wanted to learn throughout the weekend and it was all so low key and stress free. Plenty of time for chatting, tea and coffee drinking and you should have seen the baked goodies that came - oh boy!!

First there was shirring lessons from Mel and Mia - learning how to do it and make little dresses. It is certainly something I would like to try soon as I really thought it was much harder than it looks!

Mia and Mel helping Jodie

Here is Emma modelling the dress that Leigh made. Seriously this little girl was an angel all weekend and was happily handed around to whichever 'aunty' was free and available for as many hugs and snuggles that she could withstand.

Emma modelling her mummy's shirred dress

We were all sent a little fabric to make a token gift to swap (I blogged mine yesterday). It was so fantastic to see everyone's interpretation of the fabric.

Our swap gifts (I was lucky to get the TSS heat bag in the middle)

I bought along some 'stitchery' patterns for us to do a little hand embroidery and taught a few basic stitches. It was lovely to see Bridie finish her little elephant for her soon to be born baby boys nursery (just 4 weeks away!). The free pattern is here. I better finish mine to share with you.

Bridie's cute little elephant stitchery

Amy shared some techniques for creating a zippered pouch. Since I already have made them, I thought I would make a zip clutch from Michelle's patterns (affiliate link). This pattern is no longer available but lots of AMAZING bags, clutches and purses to choose from. Thanks so much Amy for the tips on the zipper. I will absolutely be fusing them down in the future - much better finish!

My little zip clutch - future teacher gift!

After a late night on Saturday night we were up and out early and headed to Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander for brunch on Sunday morning. It was here that Leigh taught us how to sew with hexies (or hexagon quilting). I'm TOTALLY addicted now so expect to see them popping up everywhere.  

A little hand stitching with hexies

A very very busy weekend but so much fun. Thank you girls. Can't wait for the next one.

Funky Mister

Holly, one of our Sisters, and owner of both Or Elsie (for girls) and Puppy Dogs Tails (for boys) has recently launched her Funky Mister shorts sewing pattern. The Funky Mister shorts have long been a popular item for Puppy Dogs Tails but now the pattern is available for you to sew yourself at home!

Lots of the Sisters have Funky Misters of their own who needed shorts and loved the style so gave it a try and were very impressed at the simplicity of the pattern and how quick a sew it is. There's plenty of options too - you can opt for cuffs or plain, pockets or not, plain elastic waist or drawstring - and we all seemed to pick different options!

Naomi from Ohana Trends made a heap of shorts for her little boy - and he looks very pleased with them!

Jane from Lil Pip got adventurous and made hers in knit. There's a review up on her blog, and a discount code for the pattern too!

Melanie from MelliMoo Creations made these awesome super hero theme ones:

Leigh from Sakurako made a pair in linen for each of her boys: 

Angela from Perigren Creations went with the bright and cheery Dr Seuss:

And last but not least Amy from Ladybugs and Daisychains made her little boy a pair in denim with a drawstring:

Be sure to share on the TSS Facebook page photos of your own Funky Mister creations!

Collaborate for a Cause 2013 - Three Little Chickens

Collaborate for a Cause 2013 begins tonight! The facebook auction starts at 8pm. With over 280 collaborations there is sure to be something for everything!

Many of the Sewing Sisters have been involved in collaborations this year, including Jodie from Three Little Chickens, who teamed up with KrAe-Z KiDz, Little Cherubs and Curly Girl and Goose - for your little treasures to create an amazing Rainbow Brite collaboration to raise money for The Kids Cancer Project.

Brighten your child's day with this size 4 pinafore, featuring beautiful rainbow ruffle sleeves.

Top off the outfit with a stunning hair clip full of ribbons, tulle and feathers!

Decorate a special room or party area with this rainbow bunting, which also comes with a matching sprocket cushion. 

And don't forget to share all the rainbow fun with this dolly. She stands 42cm tall, has a removable dress and is perfect for gentle play.

You can bid on this collaboration here. While you are there have a look through the rest of the album - if you are anything like us at the Sewing Sisterhood, not to mention this gorgeous model, you wont be able to help yourself but smile!

Collaborate for a Cause 2013 - Gypsy Jean Creative and Puppy Dog Tails

Sewing Sisters Holly from Puppy Dogs Tails and Tracey from Gypsy Jean Creative have teamed up with Hero Nation to create a brilliant bedroom set for Collaborate for a Cause.

I Am Ninja!  has been created to raise money for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Association of Australia in memory of Lachlan who passed away from SMA this year, aged 3 months.

The I Am Ninja! Set is the perfect package for a little Ninja’s bedroom. It features a large quilt from Puppy Dog Tails. Made using quilters cotton and lined with a 100% bamboo centre for natural warmth, it measures approximately 200cm wide x 250cm long.

  
This adorable fleecy Ninja PJ bag from Hero Nation helps to make having a neat and tidy bedroom fun!

Completing the collaboration is this set of 3 coordinating fabric baskets from Gypsy Jean Creative (Small – 13.5cm(w) x 9.5cm(h) x 9cm(d) Medium - 16.5cm(w) x 12cm(h) x 9cm(d), Large 19cm(w) x 15.5cm(h) x 11.5cm(d)).

Bidding begins on Friday 26th July at 8pm. You can find the listing for the I Am Ninja! set here. The Sewing Sisterhood can't wait to see how much money this amazing set raises in memory of a special little boy.